I think everyone should want to be an athlete in their own right. It isn’t a set of accomplishments. It is a mindset with goals and aspirations. You deserve more than trying to lose 5 more pounds. When we can shift the focus to real and meaningful, life changing goals we can accomplish so much more.
What is your why?
Why do you want to do what you are trying to do? I don’t believe in weight loss goals. I just don’t think they are effective. If you have additional weight that is unhealthy for you, there are better goals than losing the weight anyway. What is your why? Before you make lifestyle changes, you need to discover what it is that is deeply motivational and will help you change.
Do you want to get off medication? Be strong? Find confidence?
Maybe you can envision playing with your grandchildren of sound mind and still active?
Or is the goal to be able to keep up with your children, let alone grandchildren?
Do you want to compete with others and find comradery in something that brings you joy and adds something a little more to your life?
There are a million why’s out there. I will share mine with you: I love the feeling of being strong. I want to live a long and happy life without hindrances. I hate going to the doctor. I want to have a marriage and relationship with my children where I can keep up if not drag them along. I don’t want anything to hold me back in life, especially not my ability to get around, travel, and experience new things.
Finding Your Strength
There is something out there for everyone. I want to encourage you to try different sports or activities until you find something that you really enjoy. It can be intimidating as an adult to get our there with new athletic endeavors, but no one will discourage you! Here is a secret about athletic people…we are encouraging and motivating and want to see you succeed as much as you do. We know how satisfying it is to be active, strong, and healthy. We want that for you to.
Try the gym, try an aerobics class, or Crossfit. Try martial arts, try soccer, or baseball. Try running, try swimming, or biking.
After you know your why, the first step is to find something (or several things) you think you can really love. Some of these can take time to really enjoy. You have to get past the beginning stages. Running is really hard in the beginning, Crossfit is intimidating. Keep going until you have found your thing.
The Love of Pursuit
We were meant to chase after goals and dreams! When we want something and make a choice to reach out for it, a fire is lit within us. We come alive and become better. Once you find something you enjoy, find a goal to strive towards.
Sign up for a race or competition. Have a specific goal with a date attached to it so that you know when you are going to reach it. That can serve as your daily motivation.
The Power of a Tribe
Another thing that you might find when you find a sport that you love is a tribe that loves that sport with you. Nothing is better than going through life with people who want you to succeed. You can have their backs and they will have yours. They will push you…just the right amount for you. They will cheer for your and you will get to cheer for them.
Finding that group of people to share life with can be powerful and running groups, crossfit gyms, dojos, and sports teams have all figured this out. I encourage you to find your tribe too!